Sound track developer

ABSTRACT

A sound track developer for use in processing a black and white sound track on color film operated by a vacuum wheel driven by the film. The film is held in driving engagement with the wheel by a vacuum system which imposes a sufficient vacuum around a portion of the wheel periphery and the back face of the film for slip-free driving of the wheel by the film. The vacuum wheel drives a developer applicator wheel which applies a narrow bead of developer from a developer tank along a continuous strip of the film for developing the sound track only. Adjustment devices are provided for properly aligning and spacing the vacuum wheel and the developer applicator wheel to insure uniform developer application to the film.

D United States Patent [151 3,661,068 Jamieson, Jr. et al. 5] May 9, 1972 [54]' SOUND TRACK DEVELOPER 2,600,569 6/l952 Miller ..95/94 R [72] Inventors: tYbJEmIEISFI'I, Jr.; Charles F. Melze, Primary E\ aminer S amuel S M atthews O O a Assistant Examiner-Richard L. Moses [73] Assignee: Jamieson Film Company, Dallas, Tex, y M h w rl n [22] Filed: Apr. 27, 1971 57 [2]] Appl' 137,829 A sound track developer for use in processing a black and white sound track on color film operated by a vacuum wheel 52 us. on. .9s/94 R, 95/89 R, 1 l8/250 drive" by mm The mm is held in driving engagement with [51] Int. Cl. ..G03d 3/12 the wheel by a vacuum System which imposes a Sufficiem [58] Field of Search ..95/89 R 89 A 93 94 R- vacuum around a Portion Oflhe heel periphery and the back l face of the film for slip-free driving of the wheel by the film. The vacuum wheel drives a developer applicator wheel which [56] References Cited applies a narrow bead of developer from a developer tank along a continuous strip of the film for developing the sound UNITED STATES PATENTS track only. Adjustment devices are provided for ro erly aligning and spacing the vacuum wheel and the developer applica- 601,883 4/1898 Schwarz ..355/l0 tor wheel to insure uniform developer application to the film. 1,929,180 10/1933 Teitel et al.. .....95/89 A 2,599,374 6/1952 Davis ..1 18/249 X 10 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures 2;, win/ PATENTEDMAY 9 I972 SHEET 1 BF 4 Fig.2

2; k i' j nn ME: k 2/0 O 34 INVENTORS Hugh V. Jomieson, Jr. Charles F. Melze ATTORNEY PATENTEDHAY 9 1972 3 661,068

SHUT 2 [1F 4 INVENTORS Hugh V. Jomieson, Jr. Charles E Melze ATTORNEY PATENTEDMAY 9 I972 3', 661 .06 8

Slim 4 0F 4 INVENTORS Hugh V. Jamieson, Jr. Charles F. Melze i l BY \QXQMEQ M ATTORNEY SOUND TRACK DEVELOPER The apparatus of the invention is especially useful with color film processors of the type utilizing developer tanks as shown in a co-pending patent application entitled Motion Picture Film Processing System, U. S. application Ser. No. 63,081, filed Aug. 12, 1970, and a similar film processing apparatus disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 2,914,999 issued to Hugh V. Jamieson Dec. 1, 1959. One commercially available form of such film developing system is the Jamieson Color Processor manufactured and sold by the Jamieson Film Company, Dallas, Texas.

This invention relates to strip film processing and more particularly relates to the application of developer to a continuous narrow strip along a length of film as in the development of a sound track on such film.

Motion picture film used in the production of sound movies utilizes a number of different approaches to the provision of sound synchronized with the photographs in motion. One particularly satisfactory approach is the use of a visual sound track which is exposed to a light modulated responsive to the desired sound along a narrow continuous path at one side of the film as the film is being exposed or at a later time. Color film does not provide satisfactory density variations and control for acceptable sound tracks, and, thus, it is necessary that where color film is being employed, the sound track be provided in black and white. The various intermediate shades of silver or grey tones available with conventional black and white photography provide superior visual sound tracks. Since developing processes for color and black and white are not compatible and best results are obtained by use of a black and white sound track on color film, the provisions of special processing equipment for the sound track portion of the film is necessary. The application of the developer to the narrow strip of film and the control of conditions of such application and subsequent processing of the film is particularly troublesome. Problems are encountered in such areas as the synchronizing of the film movement and the developer apparatus for the application of the developer to the desired narrow strip of the film being processed.

Accordingly, it is a particularly important object of the invention to provide a new and improved apparatus for the development of a continuous defined narrow area of a strip of film.

It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improved strip film developer which permits the development of a black and white area along a side portion of color film.

It is another object of the invention to provide a film developer applicator which applies a narrow bead of film developer solution to a continuous strip of film of the motion picture type.

It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improved developer applicator which is driven by the film being developed.

It is another object of the invention to provide a developing solution applicator of the type described wherein the power input wheel driven by the film being developed has a defined peripheral area over which a vacuum is applied to hold the film against the wheel with sufficient force to drive the wheel without slippage between the film and the wheel surfaces as the film is transported through the apparatus.

It is another object of the invention to provide a film developer applicator of the type described wherein the film developer applicator wheel and the power input wheel driven by the film are adjustable to insure proper alignment of the developer applicator wheel relative to the film and the correct spacing of the wheels.

It is another object of the invention to provide a film developer applicator for developing a sound track on color film which does not require that there be tension in the film being fed through the developer applicator.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a film developer applicator which is useful with color film processing systems for applying developing solution along a narrow defined area of a long film strip being processed whereby a sound track may be developed in black and white along the side of the color images in the film. The apparatus includes a power input vacuum wheel around which the film is threaded for driving the applicator by the film as the film passes through the system and a bead offilm developer is applied to the film. The vacuum wheel has a peripheral edge surface area over which a vacuum is applied through openings therein for bolding the film against the wheel in a slip-free relationship whereby the wheel is driven by the film as the film passes through the unit. The power input wheel is interconnected by a pulley and belt arrangement with a developer applicator wheel disposed below and in substantial alignment with the vacuum wheel whereby a bead of developer is applied from the applicator wheel along a continuous narrow surface area of the film running around the vacuum wheel. The developer applicator wheel revolves on an axis which is generally parallel to the axis of the vacuum wheel and is adjustable relative to the vacuum wheel to insure proper spacing and axes alignments between the wheels. A portion of the developer applicator wheel turns through a small developer tank for picking up the developer to be applied to the film. A quick release arrangement is provided for lever action movement of the applicator wheel toward and away from the film driven vacuum wheel. The applicator is mounted on a color film processor at a position where the film from the processor emerges at a proper stage in the color film developing process for application of black and white developer to the sound track and the film returns to the color film processor from the applicator to be further processed in accordance with conventional color film methods to produce an end product having color images and a black and white sound track.

The objects and advantages together with specific details of a sound track developer applicator embodying the invention are better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front fragmentary view in elevation of a film developer applicator embodying the invention supported on a color film processor and illustrating a film pulley arrangement for directing film to the applicator from the processor and returning the film to the processor;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the applicator shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary back view in elevation of the applicator shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view in elevation of one end of the applicator as seen from the right end of the view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view in elevation of the other end of the applicator as seen from the left end position of the view shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section taken along the line 6--6 of FIG. 1 showing particularly the adjustable features of the mounting shafts for the vacuum and developer applicator wheels;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section along the lines 7-7 of FIG. 1 showing the bearing mount for the applicator wheel support arm;

FIG. 8 is a reduced fragmentary view in elevation and section along the line 8-8 of FIG. 6 illustrating particularly the vacuum manifold system for the vacuum feature of the power input wheel;

FIG. 9 is a view in section and elevation along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8 illustrating the vacuum passage features of the power input wheel;

FIG. 10 is a front view in elevation of the vacuum wheel bearing housing only, removed from the applicator;

FIG. 1 l is an enlarged fragmentary view in section showing the film moving along the vacuum wheel with the sound track developer applicator wheel applying a bead of developer to the film; and

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view in section along the line 12- 12 illustrating the horizontal adjustment means of the developer applicator wheel support arm.

Referring to the drawings, a developer applicator embodying the invention includes a power input vacuum wheel 21 driven by the film 22 being processed and a sound track developer applicator wheel 23 which revolves through a developer tray 24 to apply a bead of developer to the film 22 threaded around and driving the vacuum wheel. The wheels 21 and 23 are mounted on the front face of a mounting plate 25 secured to a base 26 which is supported on the top of a suitable color processing system 30. The film 22 is fed from the processor 30 to the applicator 20 and from the applicator back to the processor over a series of pulleys 31 and 32 rotatably supported on a horizontal cross member 33 supported on vertical legs 34 having feet 35 bolted to the top of the processor 30.

An essential element of the invention is the power input vacuum wheel 21, the principal details of which are shown in FIGS. 2, 6, and 9. The wheel has a cylindrical body portion and an integral back peripheral flange 41. The wheel has a plurality of circumferentially spaced vacuum passages 42 for applying a vacuum through the wheel to hold the film 22 around the lower half of the wheel surface. Each of the vacuum passages comprises a concave mouth portion 43 opening through the peripheral surface 44 of the wheel body, a short radial straight portion 45, and a rearwardly extending axial portion which opens through the back face 51 of the vacuum wheel. The vacuum passages 42 permit imposition of a vacuum through the wheel from the back surface of the wheel to the peripheral body edge surface 44 where the wide mouth opening 43 of each vacuum passage applies the vacuum over a substantial area of the film to pull it into engagement with the vacuum wheel. The vacuum wheel has a central bore 52 for rotatably mounting the wheel on the front face of the mounting plate 25.

The vacuum wheel 21 is supported from a bearing housing 53 which basically is a tubular member of uniform internal inside and outsidediameters and is provided with an integral stop flange 54 spaced from the forward end 55 of the housing for properly positioning the housing through an opening in the mounting plate 25. As shown in FIG. 10, the forward end portion of the bearing housing has a symmetrical arcuate recess 61 which opens through the outer periphery of the housing end portion so that there is a thin arcuate wall portion 61a between the recess and the bore 62 through the bearing housing while the recess opens along a portion of the bottom surface of the housing end portion. The recess 61 extends circumferentially somewhat less than 180 degrees. The surface portion of the housing defining the recess 61 together with an arcuate portion of the mounting plate surface defining the opening 60 through the plate defines an arcuate vacuum passage 63 which communicates with the open back ends of the passages 50in the vacuum wheel 21 for purposes of imposing a vacuum through the wheel circumferentially for the length of the recess 61. As best seen in FIG. 8, the mounting plate 25 has a horizontal flow passage 64 intersecting the opening 60 in the plate at the bottom center of the opening, thereby communicating with the flow passage 63 so that a vacuum may be imposed on the vacuum wheel through a line 65 connected by a fitting into the vacuum passage 64 of the mounting plate. The vacuum wheel 21 is secured by a screw 71 and a washer 72 to the outward end portion of a shaft 73 which extends through the hole 52 in the wheel. An external flange 74 on the shaft properly positions the vacuum wheel on the end portion of the shaft. The back face of the vacuum wheel is very closely spaced from the mounting plate for friction-free rotation of the wheel and so that the vacuum is applied to the wheel from the passage 63 without a gasket between the wheel and the plate 25.

The central portion of the shaft 73 is rotatably supported in the bore 62 of the bearing housing by a pair of spaced, identical ball bearing units 75 and 75a disposed in the housing bore at opposite ends of a bearing spacer 80. The ball bearing unit 75 is positioned between one end of the spacer and a lock ring 81 engaged in an internal recess around the bore 62 of the bearing housing near the front end 55 of the housing. Similarly, the bearing unit 75a is positioned between the other end of the spacer and a lock ring 82 engaged in an internal annular recess around the bore 62 of the bearing housing near its rear or outward end 53a. The bearing spacer 80 has a pair of set screw slots 81 and 82 cut across the spacer transverse to its longitudinal axis defining therebetween a set screw adjusting flange 83. A pair of angularly disposed set screws 84 and 85 are threaded through angularly aligned bores in the housing 53 so that the conical end portions or points of the set screws engage opposite sides of the adjusting flange 83. The set screws are manipulated simultaneously to effect axial movement of the bearing spacer 80 for positioning of the vacuum wheel along its axis of rotation relative to the front face of the mounting plate 25 for proper spacing of the vacuum wheel from the mounting plate. The bearing spacer 80 has a flat side face providing a set screw flat for engagement of the inward end of a set screw 91 threaded through the side of the bearing housing 53 to engage the bearing spacer to prevent rotation of the spacer within the housing.

The housing 53 has a radial oil port 92 which is aligned with an oil bypass passage 93 in the bearing spacer 80 so that oil may be injected through the bearing housing and spacer into the interior of the spacer to reach the bearings at the opposite ends of the spacer. A thrust bushing 94 is disposed on the shaft 73 outward of the rear bearing 75a between the bearing and a pair of nuts 95 engaged on a threaded section of the shaft. The nuts hold the bearing spacer and the thrust bushing tightly on the shaft 73 against the flange 74 so that the entire assembly on the shaft including the vacuum wheel is movable by the set screws 84 and 85 co-acting with the adjustment flange 83 of the bearing spacer 80. The shaft has a reduced rear end portion 101 on which is mounted a pulley 102 held by a set screw 103. The pulley 102 transfers power from the vacuum wheel shaft to the track applicator wheel 23 driving the applicator wheel at a synchronized rate.

The track applicator wheel 23 is secured by a screw 104 and a washer 105 on an end portion of a shaft 1 10 which has a stop flange 11 1 against which the back face of the applicator wheel is engaged for proper positioning of the wheel on the shaft. The shaft is rotatably mounted in ball bearing units 112 and 113 disposed at opposite ends of a bearing spacer 114 within a bearing housing 115. Endward movement of the ball bearing units within the bore of the housing 1 15 is limited by lock rings 121 and 122 engaged in internal annular recesses at the opposite ends of the housing as seen in FIG. 6. The bearing 112 is confined on the shaft between the shaft flange 111 and an end face of the bearing spacer 114. The bearing spacer 114 has a set screw flat 123 formed along a side of the spacer for engagement of the inward end of a set screw 124 threaded through the bearing housing 115 to hold the spacer against rotation in the housing while allowing the spacer axial movement. The bearing spacer has a pair of transverse set screw recesses 125 and which are cut into the spacer from the outer surface thereof and spaced longitudinally to define between the recesses a transverse set screw adjustment flange 131. The recesses 125 and 130 receive conical inward end portions of the set screws 132 and 133, respectively, threaded inwardly at an angle toward each other through the housing 115 to engage the flange 131 for axial positioning and locking of the assembly comprising the track applicator wheel 23, the shaft 110, the bearings 1 12 and 113, and related structure supporting the applicator wheel. The bearing housing 115 has an oil port 134 which is aligned with an oil passage 135 provided in the bearing spacer to admit oil from outside the bearing housing through the housing and spacer into the interior of the track applicator wheel assembly. A thrust bushing is disposed on the shaft 110 and held against the rearward hearing unit 113 by a pair of nuts 141 threaded on the shaft to hold the track applicator wheel assembly together. The shaft 110 has a reduced rear end portion 142 on which a pulley 143 is held by a set screw 144 for driving the applicator wheel shaft.

The track applicator wheel assembly is movably supported through a port or opening 145 in the mounting plate by a support arm 150. The bearing housing has a forward reduced end portion 151 which fits tightly through an opening 152 in the arm 150 so that the entire track applicator wheel assembly is supported by the arm. The mounting plate opening is substantially larger than the bearing housing reduced end portion 151 so that the arm may be raised and lowered for adjustment of the track applicator wheel relative to the vacuum wheel and the film threaded around the vacuum wheel. The arm also permits the applicator wheel to be moved to and from operative position relative to the vacuum wheel.

The track applicator wheel assembly support arm 150 is pivotally secured on a shaft 153, FIG. 7, which is secured through the mounting plate 25 in such a manner that the arm may be raised and lowered and, additionally, the alignment of the arm relative to the mounting plate may be adjusted for moving the applicator wheel essentially along its axis of rotation toward and away from the mounting plate for aligning the edge of the applicator wheel relative to film on the vacuum wheel. Referring particularly to FIG. 7, the shaft 153 is supported from a shaft mount 154 which has a central cylindrical body portion 155 and an integral stop flange 160. The mount is tightly fitted through an opening 161 in the mounting plate 25 against the flange to hold the shaft mount secure in the mounting plate. The shaft mount has a bore 162 to receive the forward end portion of the shaft 153. The bore 162 has a slightly flared outward end portion 162a. Three symmetrically positioned set screws 163 are threaded through the shaft mount into its flared bore portion 162a against the outward end portion of the shaft 153. The outwardly flared configuration of the bore portion 162a permits the set screws 163 to be used to adjust the alignment of the axis of the shaft 153 relative to the mounting plate, thereby moving the longitudinal axis of the arm 150 relative to the plane of the mounting plate for adjustment of the track applicator wheel. A washer 164 is fitted on the shaft 153 at the back face of the shaft mount 154. The arm 150 is supported from the shaft 153 on a bearing housing 165 which has a reduced portion 165a disposed through an opening in the arm 150. The housing 165 has a bore 171 in which are tightly fitted a pair of sleeve bearings 173 and 172 at opposite ends ofa bearing spacer 174.

The bearing spacer 174 has a hole 175 which receives a screw threaded through the bearing housing 165 against the bearing spacer. A pair of nuts 181 are threaded on the shaft 153 against a washer 182 which engages the bearing 173 holding the bearings and bearing spacer along with the bearing housing on the shaft against the washer 164. The shaft 153 serves purely as a mount for the bearings 172 and 173 to support the housing 165 and the arm 150 so that the shaft 153 does not rotate. The bearings 172 and 173 are movable on the shaft so that the arm 150 which is fixed to the housing 165 may be pivotally raised and lowered about the axis of the shaft 153 as required for proper adjustment of the track applicator wheel 23. The rear end portion 153a of the shaft is reduced in diameter and supports a double pulley 183 which is rotatably engaged on the shaft on a sleeve bearing 184 held between a pair of retainer rings 185 which engage spaced recesses on the reduced portion of the shaft. While the shaft 153 remains stationary, the double pulley 183 is rotatable on the shaft to transfer power from the vacuum wheel shaft to the track applicator wheel shaft. A belt runs around the pulley 102 on the vacuum wheel shaft and the back groove on the track applicator wheel support arm shaft pulley 183. Another belt 191 runs around the forward groove of the double pulley 183 and the pulley 143 on the track applicator wheel support shaft 110. Thus, rotation of the pulley 102 by the vacuum wheel drives double pulley 183, which in turn drives the track applicator wheel shaft pulley 143.

The track applicator wheel support arm 150 is very precisely adjustable both vertically and horizontally for moving the wheel 23 up and down relative to the vacuum wheel and for moving the wheel toward and away from the mounting plate and thus along its own axis of rotation relative to the vacuum wheel. Referring particularly to FIGS. 3 and 5, a micrometer depth guide bracket 192 is mounted by screws 193 on the vertical end face 157a of the am 150. The bracket 192 has a micrometer anvil portion 192a which projects through a vertical slot 194 in the mounting plate 25. The slot 194 is longer and wider than the anvil portion 192a so that the anvil portion moves freely up and down in the slot. An upwardly biasing spring 195 is hooked at a lower end through an eyelet 200 in the bracket 192 and at an upper end with a bracket 201 secured by screw 202 to the back face of the mounting plate. The bracket 201 has a slot 201a which receives the screw so that the bracket is vertically adjustable along the back face of the mounting plate. The spring 195 biases the track applicator wheel support arm 150 upwardly. A micrometer 203 is vertically mounted along the front face of the mounting plate 25 by a bracket 204 secured by screws 205 to the front face of the plate. The micrometer is held in the bracket 204 by a pair of set screws 210. The spindle 211 of the micrometer is engageable with the micrometer anvil 192a when the arm 150 is biased upwardly by the spring 195, thereby providing a micrometer controlled vertical adjustment for the track applicator wheel support arm. A horizontal guide 212 is mounted by screws 213 along the back face of the mounting plate 25 for adjustment of the horizontal alignment of the arm 150 relative to the mounting plate. An enlarged view of the arrangement for this adjustment is shown in FIG. 12. The guide 212 is held in spaced relation from the back face of the mounting plate by spacers 214 on the screws 213 between the guide and the back face of the mounting plate 25. A first back set screw 215 with a lock nut 220 is threaded through the guide to engage the back face of the bracket 192 on the arm 150. A second front set screw 221 with a lock nut 222 is threaded through the plate 25 against the front face of the bracket 192 aligned axially with the set screw 215. Manipulation of the two set screws 215 and 221 provides adjustment of the arm 150 toward and away from the back face of the mounting plate 25 for the purpose of aligning the edge 23b of the track applicator wheel with the film on the vacuum wheel.

A quick operating on-off" mechanical cam type switch 223 is provided for moving the track applicator wheel between an operating position adjacent to the film on the vacuum wheel and an inoperative position spaced from the vacuum wheel. The switch includes a cam 224 held by a set screw 225 on a shaft 230 rotatably mounted through the plate 25 and connected with an operating lever 231 on the front face of the mounting plate. The cam is engageable with a Z- shaped bracket 232 mounted by screws 233 to the bottom edge of the arm 150. The cam at its off position of rotation engages the bottom arm 232a of the bracket 232 to pivot the support arm 150 downwardly moving the applicator wheel away from the vacuum wheel. When the cam is disengaged from the bracket 232, the arm 150 is held at its upper operative position by the spring 195.

A rectangular shaped developer tray 240 is secured with a vertical plate 241 connected by screws 242 and 243 to the front face of the mounting plate 25. The screw 243 extends through a slightly elongated slot 244 in the plate 241 to provide some vertical adjustment of the tray 240. The developer tray is positioned so that a lower segment of the track applicator wheel 23 rotates through an upper portion of the developer tray for picking up liquid developer from the tray to apply along film on the vacuum wheel. The developer tray has a vertical dam 245 spaced from the inlet end 240a of the tray and running a portion of the height of the tray. An outlet fitting 250 from an outlet line 251 is connected into the end of the developer tray 240a between the end of the tray and the dam 245. A supply line 253 is connected by a fitting 254 through the end 240a of the developer tray. The fitting 254 extends through both the end 240a and the dam 245 of the developer tray and along the lower portion of the tray. Developer is supplied to the tray through the fitting 254 and returned from the tray through the fitting 250. The dam 245 aids in keeping a uniform working level of developer at the bottom periphery of the applicator wheel. The lines 252 and 253 are connected with a suitable supply of developer for flowing the developer through the tray.

A guide wheel 260 having a flange 2600 is rotatably mounted on the front face of the mounting plate 25 to hold the film on the vacuum wheel. The guide wheel is held by a screw 261 engaged in a mounting shaft 262 secured to the front face of the plate 25. The flange 260a of the guide wheel extends in overlapping relationship across a portion of the front face of the vacuum wheel to retain the film in proper alignment on the wheel. As seen in FIG. 2, the shaft 262 is secured by a nut 263 at the back face of the mounting plate 25.

In operation the film 32 is threaded from the processing apparatus 30 over the guide pulley 32 downwardly around the vacuum wheel 21 and upwardly over the pulleys 31 back into the processor 30. The film runs behind the flange 260a on the guide wheel 260 so that the film is guided into the proper alignment around the lower half of the periphery of the vacuum wheel, thus running between the guide wheel flange and the flange 41 on the vacuum wheel keeping the film properly aligned on the vacuum wheel. The vacuum wheel and the track applicator wheel are adjustable to achieve the desired relationship between the wheels and to properly position the vacuum wheel for imposing maximum vacuum through the wheel without loss between the wheel and the front face of the mounting plate 25. Axial adjustment of the vacuum wheel is achieved by manipulation of the set screws 84 and 85 which co-act with the flange 83 of the bearing spacer 80 to correctly position the back face of the wheel in close spaced relationship with the front face of the mounting plate. The vacuum wheel should be as close as possible to the mounting plate without actual physical engagement with the plate whereby a vacuum is imposed through the wheel without using gasket material between the wheel and the mounting plate.

Adjustment of the position of the track applicator wheel is obtained through the several different systems provided. The

set screws 132 and 133 may be used to manipulate the position of the wheel along its axis by the co-action of the set screws with the adjusting flange 131 in the bearing spacer 114. This adjustment moves the wheel along the axis of the shaft 110 toward or away from the mounting plate. The support arm 150 for the track applicator wheel assembly is also adjustable to align the wheel by manipulation of the set screws 163 which vary the alignment of the axis of the axle 153 with such adjustment being coordinated with the adjustment of the set screws 215 and 126 co-acting with the bracket 192 on the free end of the support arm. These various adjustments of the position of the track applicator wheel along its axis and variations in the alignment of the axis of the shaft of the applicator wheel by adjustment of the arm 150 are related to properly setting the line of movement of the peripheral concave edge face 23b of the applicator wheel relative to the film surface along which sound track development is desired, that is, toward the front edge of the bottom face of the film as it is positioned on the unit shown in the drawings, see FIG. 11. Additionally, the spacing the peripheral wheel edge surface 23b relative to the film surface is adjusted by means of the micrometer 203 which limits the extent of upward movement of the support arm 150 by engagement of the micrometer spindle 19221 with the micrometer anvil 192a mounted at the free end of the support arm. After these various adjustment are performed for the proper positioning of the track applicator wheel, the switch 223 may be rotated to engage its cam with the bracket 232 to pivot the arm 150 downwardly moving the track applicator wheel away from the vacuum wheel as the film is threaded through the device.

Developer is supplied to the tray 240 through the line 253 with return from the tray through the line 251. The developer flows into the tray filling the main compartment 24011 of the tray and overflowing over the darn 245 to the return line 251.

The dam serves a liquid levelling function so that sufficient developer is maintained at a level at which it is picked up by the lower edge of the track applicator wheel flange edge 2312. A vacuum is applied to the device through the line 65 from a suitable vacuum source. The vacuum is imposed through the passage 64 into the arcuate passage 63. The vacuum in the passage 63 is communicated around the lower periphery of the vacuum wheel through the vacuum passages 42 of the wheel as they revolve past the fixed passage 63 so that only that lower portion of the periphery of the wheel encompassed by the passage 63 is aflected by the vacuum. The vacuum is communicated through the concave mouth portions 43 of the vacuum wheel drawing the back face of the film against the wheel edge 44 so that as the film is transported around the wheel, the wheel is engaged and turned by the film movement. As viewed in FIG. 1, the vacuum wheel 21 is turned in a clockwise direction by the film. As seen from the back of the apparatus, the pulley 102 on the vacuum wheel shaft is rotated in a counterclockwise direction driving the pulley 190 which rotates the dual pulley 183 counterclockwise. The belt 191 running on the dual pulley 183 to the track applicator wheel shaft pulley 143 turns the pulley 143 in a counterclockwise direction so that the shaft of the track applicator wheel is rotated. Referring back to FIG. 1, the track applicator wheel is driven clockwise so that the upper peripheral edge surface 23b of the applicator wheel is moving to the right whereas the film moving around the vacuum wheel is moving toward the left and thus counter to the direction of movement of the track applicator whee] edge.

The rotation of the lower periphery of the track applicator wheel flange through the developer in the tank 240 picks up developer solution along the concave edge 23b of the wheel. The developer is then wiped along the film applying a narrow bead of developer to the sound track of the film. The film then passes upwardly around the shaft 31 and back to the processor to complete the developing process in a conventional manner. When it is desired to stop applying developer to the film, the lever 231 is turned to rotate the cam switch 224 engaging the bracket arm 232a to move the track applicator wheel support arm downwardly, thereby lowering the track applicator wheel 23 below the film moving around the vacuum wheel sufficiently that the developer is no longer wiped from the wheel 23 to the film on the vacuum wheel.

Since the applicator is driven by film movement by virtue of the vacuum relationship between the film and the vacuum wheel, the operation of the unit is at all times synchronized with the film movement and is not subject to slippage and other problems inherent in conventional forms of sound track film developers. Superior developer application results are thus obtained due to the relationship between the film movement and the movement of the track applicator wheel because of the fact that the unit is driven by the film movement. No film tension is required for driving the applicator by the film.

It will be readily understood that a new improved form of sound track film developing apparatus has been described and illustrated. It will be recognized that the unit is driven by film movement and it will be particularly appreciated that due to the use of vacuum drive, the unit requires no tension in the film, which, of course, is a particular characteristic of the film processors manufactured and sold by the Jamieson Film Company, as previously referred to. It will be appreciated that the track applicator wheel is readily adjustable to properly position it relative to the vacuum drive wheel of the sound track developer applicator.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for application of a continuous bead of fluid to the surface of a strip of material comprising: means for guiding said strip of material through said apparatus including a power input wheel having vacuum means for releasably engaging said strip material whereby said wheel is turned responsive to movement of said strip material; an applicator wheel having a peripheral edge surface positioned in predetermined spaced relation from said power input wheel for depositing said bead of fluid from said applicator wheel to said strip material moving around said power input wheel; means coupling said applicator wheel with said power input wheel; and the means for supplying said applicator wheel with said fluid along said peripheral edge surface.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said power input wheel is provided with vacuum means for inducing a vacuum over a predetermined peripheral portion of said wheel for releasably holding said strip material on said wheel.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said applicator wheel and said power input wheel are adjustably positioned relative to each other whereby the relationship between the edge surfaces of said wheels is variable for setting said wheels to apply said fluid from said applicator wheel along a desired line on said strip of material moving around said power input wheel.

4. An applicator for applying a continuous narrow bead of film developer along a predetermined path of a continuous strip of film to develop a sound track on said film comprising: a vacuum wheel for driving said applicator responsive to transport of strip film through said applicator, said wheel having means for applying a vacuum over a peripheral surface portion thereof for holding said film against said wheel around a portion of the periphery thereof to drive said wheel as said film passes around said wheel; a developer applicator wheel supported for rotation about an axis adjustable relative to said vacuum wheel and operatively coupled with said vacuum wheel for rotation responsive to said vacuum wheel for applying developer to said film as said film moves over said vacuum wheel; and means for applying developer to said applicator wheel.

5. Apparatus for applying developer along a continuous defined surface of a strip of film for developing a sound track thereon comprising: a mounting means adapted to be connected with a film processor; a vacuum drive wheel rotatably supported from said mounting means, said vacuum wheel having circumferentially spaced vacuum passages opening through the peripheral surface of said vacuum wheel and through a back faced thereof; said mounting means being provided with vacuum passage means including an arcuate passage aligned with a circumferential portion of said vacuum wheel for communicating a vacuum to a defined arcuate portion of said vacuum wheel through a portion of said vacuum passages in said wheel as said wheel rotates relative to said mounting means for holding said film against said vacuum wheel as said film is transported through said apparatus past said wheel; a developer applicator wheel rotatably supported from said mounting means and having a peripheral developer applicator edge surface spaced from said peripheral edge of said vacuum wheel for applying a bead of developer to a strip of film moving along said vacuum wheel as said vacuum wheel and said applicator wheel are rotated relative to each other; said vacuum wheel and said applicator wheel being operatively interconnected whereby rotation of said vacuum wheel by said film as said film is transported past said vacuum wheel drives said applicator wheel at a rate synchronized with the rotation of said vacuum wheel; and developer tank means supported in relation to said applicator wheel whereby said applicator wheel rotates through said developer tank means for picking up developer for application to said film on said vacuum wheel.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said applicator wheel and said vacuum wheel are adjustable relative to each other.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said applicator wheel is supported from an arm pivoted from said mounting means; and including means operable with the free end portion of said arm for adjusting the vertical and horizontal positions of said arm and said applicator wheel relative to said vacuum wheel.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said means interconnectin said vacuum wheel and said applicator wheel comprises a pu ey rotated by said vacuum whee a pulley rotated by said applicator wheel, a pulley supported on the pivotal axis of said arm, and belts interconnecting said pulleys whereby said pulley on said vacuum wheel drives said pulley on said applicator wheel through said pulley on said arm.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said arm is adjustable along the pivotal axis of said arm with said mounting means.

10. A film sound track developer applicator for applying developer solution to a narrow strip along one edge of a continuous strip of film comprising: a mounting plate adapted to be supported on a film processor; a vacuum wheel supported along a front face of said mounting plate for rotation on an axis substantially perpendicular to said mounting plate; a shaft supporting said vacuum wheel; a bearing housing assembly supporting said shaft whereby said shaft is adjustable along an axis of rotation thereof for positioning said vacuum wheel relative to said front face of said mounting plate; said vacuum wheel having a plurality of circumferentially spaced vacuum passages opening through a back face of said vacuum wheel and through a peripheral edge surface of said wheel; said mounting plate and said housing for said vacuum wheel shaft having means defining a vacuum flow passage through said mounting plate and including an arcuate vacuum passage behind said vacuum wheel communicating with a portion of said circumferentially spaced passages in said vacuum wheel along an arcuate lower portion of said wheel as said wheel is rotated whereby film transported around said wheel is held against said wheel around said arcuate portion of said peripheral edge surface of said wheel when a vacuum is imposed through said mounting plate to said wheel; a developer applicator wheel support arm pivotally mounted at one end along a back face of said mounting plate on a shaft supported from said mounting plate; a developer applicator wheel rotatably supported from the other free end of said support arm on a shaft disposed through an opening in said mounting plate, said developer applicator wheel being supported along the front face of said mounting plate and having a peripheral edge surface adapted to be supported in close spaced relation with the peripheral edge surface of said vacuum wheel for applying developer along film on said vacuum wheel as said film is moved around said vacuum wheel; said developer applicator wheel being supported on a shaft secured with a bearing and a housing connected with said support arm and adjustable relative thereto; a micrometer height adjustment apparatus connected between said mounting plate and said free end of said support arm for positioning said arm to space said developer applicator wheel in predetermined spaced relation with said vacuum wheel; adjustment apparatus connected between said plate and said free end of said support arm for moving said arm and said developer applicator wheel horizontally for adjusting alignment between said developer applicator wheel and said vacuum wheel; means biasing said support arm toward said micrometer apparatus; a mechanical switch for moving said support arm for shifting said developer applicator wheel between operative and inoperative positions relative to said vacuum wheel; a developer tray supported below said developer applicator wheel, a lower portion of said applicator wheel rotating through said developer tray for applying developer to said wheel; pulley drive means on said shaft of said vacuum wheel; pulley drive means on said pivot shaft of said support arm connected with said pulley drive means on said vacuum wheel; and pulley drive means on said shaft of said applicator wheel connected with said pulley drive means from said pivot shaft of said support arm for driving said applicator wheel responsive to rotation of said vacuum wheel whereby said applicator wheel is rotated at a speed synchronized with and responsive to rotation of said vacuum wheel. 

1. Apparatus for application of a continuous bead of fluid to the surface of a strip of material comprising: means for guiding said strip of material through said apparatus including a power input wheel having vacuum means for releasably engaging said strip material whereby said wheel is turned responsive to movement of said strip material; an applicator wheel having a peripheral edge surface positioned in predetermined spaced relation from said power input wheel for depositing said bead of fluid from said applicator wheel to said strip material moving around said power input wheel; means coupling said applicator wheel with said power input wheel; and the means for supplying said applicator wheel with said fluid along said peripheral edge surface.
 2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said power input wheel is provided with vacuum means for inducing a vacuum over a predetermined peripheral portion of said wheel for releasably holding said strip material on said wheel.
 3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said applicator wheel and said power input wheel are adjustably positioned relative to each other whereby the relationship between the edge surfaces of said wheels is variable for setting said wheels to apply said fluid from said applicator wheel along a desired line on said strip of material moving around said power input wheel.
 4. An applicator for applying a continuous narrow bead of film developer along a predetermined path of a continuous strip of film to develop a sound track on said film comprising: a vacuum wheel for driving said applicator responsive to transport of strip film through said applicator, said wheel having means for applying a vacuum over a peripheral surface portion thereof for holding said film against said wheel around a portion of the periphery thereof to drive said wheel as said film passes around said wheel; a developer applicator wheel supported for rotation about an axis adjustable relative to said vacuum wheel and operatively coupled with said vacuum wheel for rotation responsive to said vacuum wheel for applying developer to said film as said film moves over said vacuum wheel; and means for applying developer to said applicator wheel.
 5. Apparatus for applying developer along a continuous defined surface of a strip of film for developing a sound track thereon comprising: a mounting means adapted to be connected with a film processor; a vacuum drive wheel rotatably supported from said mounting means, said vacuum wheel having circumferentially spaced vacuum passages opening through the peripheral surface of said vacuum wheel and through a back faced thereof; said mounting means being provided with vacuum passage means including an arcuate passage aligned with a circumferential portion of said vacuum wheel for communicating a vacuum to a defined arcuate portion of said vacuum wheel through a portion of said vacuum passages in said wheel as said wheel rotates relative to said mounting means for holding said film against said vacuum wheel as said film is transported through said apparatus past said wheel; a developer applicator wheel rotatably supported from said mounting means and having a peripheral developer applicator edge surface spaced from said peripheral edge of said vacuum wheel for applying a bead of developer to a strip of film moving along said vacuum wheel as said vacuum wheel and said applicator wheel are rotated relative to each other; said vacuum wheel and said applicator wheel being operatively interconnected whereby rotation of said vacuum wheel by said film as said film is transported past said vacuum wheel drives said applicator wheel at a rate synchronized with the rotation of said vacuum wheel; and developer tank means supported in relation to said applicator wheel whereby said applicator wheel rotates through said developer tank means for picking up developer for application to said film on said vacuum wheel.
 6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said applicator wheel and said vacuum wheel are adjustable relative to each other.
 7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said applicator wheel is supported from an arm pivoted from said mounting means; and including means operable with the free end portion of said arm for adjusting the vertical and horizontal positions of said arm and said applicator wheel relative to said vacuum wheel.
 8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said means interconnecting said vacuum wheel and said applicator wheel comprises a pulley rotated by said vacuum wheel, a pulley rotated by said applicator wheel, a pulley supported on the pivotal axis of said arm, and belts interconnecting said pulleys whereby said pulley on said vacuum wheel drives said pulley on said applicator wheel through said pulley on said arm.
 9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said arm is adjustable along the pivotal axis of said arm with said mounting means.
 10. A film sound track developer applicator for applying Developer solution to a narrow strip along one edge of a continuous strip of film comprising: a mounting plate adapted to be supported on a film processor; a vacuum wheel supported along a front face of said mounting plate for rotation on an axis substantially perpendicular to said mounting plate; a shaft supporting said vacuum wheel; a bearing housing assembly supporting said shaft whereby said shaft is adjustable along an axis of rotation thereof for positioning said vacuum wheel relative to said front face of said mounting plate; said vacuum wheel having a plurality of circumferentially spaced vacuum passages opening through a back face of said vacuum wheel and through a peripheral edge surface of said wheel; said mounting plate and said housing for said vacuum wheel shaft having means defining a vacuum flow passage through said mounting plate and including an arcuate vacuum passage behind said vacuum wheel communicating with a portion of said circumferentially spaced passages in said vacuum wheel along an arcuate lower portion of said wheel as said wheel is rotated whereby film transported around said wheel is held against said wheel around said arcuate portion of said peripheral edge surface of said wheel when a vacuum is imposed through said mounting plate to said wheel; a developer applicator wheel support arm pivotally mounted at one end along a back face of said mounting plate on a shaft supported from said mounting plate; a developer applicator wheel rotatably supported from the other free end of said support arm on a shaft disposed through an opening in said mounting plate, said developer applicator wheel being supported along the front face of said mounting plate and having a peripheral edge surface adapted to be supported in close spaced relation with the peripheral edge surface of said vacuum wheel for applying developer along film on said vacuum wheel as said film is moved around said vacuum wheel; said developer applicator wheel being supported on a shaft secured with a bearing and a housing connected with said support arm and adjustable relative thereto; a micrometer height adjustment apparatus connected between said mounting plate and said free end of said support arm for positioning said arm to space said developer applicator wheel in predetermined spaced relation with said vacuum wheel; adjustment apparatus connected between said plate and said free end of said support arm for moving said arm and said developer applicator wheel horizontally for adjusting alignment between said developer applicator wheel and said vacuum wheel; means biasing said support arm toward said micrometer apparatus; a mechanical switch for moving said support arm for shifting said developer applicator wheel between operative and inoperative positions relative to said vacuum wheel; a developer tray supported below said developer applicator wheel, a lower portion of said applicator wheel rotating through said developer tray for applying developer to said wheel; pulley drive means on said shaft of said vacuum wheel; pulley drive means on said pivot shaft of said support arm connected with said pulley drive means on said vacuum wheel; and pulley drive means on said shaft of said applicator wheel connected with said pulley drive means from said pivot shaft of said support arm for driving said applicator wheel responsive to rotation of said vacuum wheel whereby said applicator wheel is rotated at a speed synchronized with and responsive to rotation of said vacuum wheel. 